Another city has been added to the global landscape of fashion weeks.
Scheduled to take place from Tuesday to Saturday, Rio Fashion Week has been established as a new landmark on the official Brazilian fashion calendar, thanks to a partnership between the Rio de Janeiro city hall and IMM, one of the country*s largest sports and entertainment companies, which is also responsible for S*o Paulo Fashion Week .
Gustavo Oliveira, chief operating officer at IMM, said the event has been in development since 2021 in collaboration with the City of Rio de Janeiro, through its tourism department led by Secretary Daniela Maia. The project was officially approved only last year, marking a defining moment in repositioning Rio as a global fashion destination. You May Also Like
*I strongly believe in this project because fashion in Rio is born everywhere, it lives in the streets, in the communities and on the beaches, and is deeply connected to our lifestyle,* Oliveira said. *That*s precisely why the city, and Brazil as a whole, has been calling for a fashion event that truly reflects this creative energy. The response so far has been extremely positive, reinforcing both the existing demand and Rio de Janeiro*s potential as a global platform for fashion, entertainment and creativity.*
Maia underscored Rio*s broader cultural resurgence. This is the first official Rio Fashion Week after a smaller event in the city a decade ago, alongside landmark events such as Carnival and New Year*s Eve celebrations. The city has also seen renewed momentum in music, with initiatives such as the biennial *Rock in Rio* festival and *Todo Mundo no Rio,* attracting global artists including Madonna and Lady Gaga. At the same time, Rio*s culinary scene is gaining international recognition, with accolades from the Michelin Guide and The World*s 50 Best.
*As a result, we have seen a significant increase in tourist traffic,* Maia said. *In 2025, the city welcomed 12.5 million visitors, both domestic and international, marking a 10.5 percent increase over 2024.*
Growth was primarily driven by international arrivals, which rose 44.8 percent. The 2.1 million foreign visitors accounted for 17 percent of total arrivals in 2025 and 30 percent of tourism*s economic impact, generating about $1.5 billion in revenue for Rio.